Stockholm artist paints holiday spirit

11 Dec 2018 | 01:57

PHOTOS BY LAURIE GORDON Kim Lonsky's work at Villa Capri.

Kim Lonsky's work at the UPS Store.

STOCKHOLM — For the past six years, Kimberly Lonsky, of Stockholm, has been lighting up the holiday season with her special gift. Lonsky's window paintings have become so popular that there is now a waiting list and the business that started on a friend's suggestion is booming.Lonsky had a little business painting various things such as house portraits, etc. and wanted to expand. A friend told her that no one painted windows in the town in which she works as a nail artist. “I researched it for a while and practiced at my home and then went to a few businesses and solicited,” she said. “From there it didn't take long for my business to grow quickly and I went from soliciting to a waiting list.”An artistic flare comes naturally to Lonsky. She did art in grammar and high school and took a few classes at County College of Morris. Aside from that, it's just her style. She has repeat clients every year, but also gains some new clients annually as well. “I try my best to get to everybody for the holiday season,” Lonsky said. “I contact them around September each year to start setting up my schedule.” How long it takes to paint a business depends on the size of the windows and how many they want painted. It takes Lonsky between two-and-a-half to five-and-a-half hours for each business. She said, “I don't rush and I'm not a speed painter so it's done when I'm satisfied with my work," she said. "Sometimes customers want personalized prints and sometimes they just let me do my magic. The further we get into the winter, the harder it is to tolerate the weather, I wear my share of heavy clothes, hats and gloves, but at the end of the day it's my willingness to persevere and keep my clients happy that gets me through those really cold days.”Lonsky grew up in Sussex County and went to Wallkill Valley Regional High School. Aside from brief stints away, she's been in the county all of her life. She is married to her husband, Jonathan, and has two children: Paige, age six, and Jake, age 17. Some of the businesses she's painted include: Brick & Brew (Franklin), UPS Stores (Sparta, Flemington and Cranford), Pediatric Professionals (Lafayette and Totowa), Dance Dimensions by Michelle (Sparta), White Deer Plaza Liquors (Sparta), Sparta Lanes (Sparta), Mama Cee's Pizzeria (Franklin), Visual Eye Optical (Byram), ShopRite Liquors (Byram), Bathing Beauties (Ogdensburg), Villa Capri (Sparta), Eric's Deli (Sparta), Lorenzo's (Sussex), Shear Intensity (Sussex), Love of Paws (Sussex), Stepping Stone (Stockholm), Sparta Athletic Club (Sparta), and Bagel Bistro (Andover). Of her painting, she said, “For me, it's the ability to transfer my artwork and the spirit of the holiday season on to my clients window fronts.”To contact Lonsky about window painting for the holidays and throughout the year, call 973-270-1985.